Music has a huge impact on people’s well-being and their lives. Without it, life would be nothing short of a challenge. Consider a reality without your favorite artist or song, a reality without the outlet of music.
These are the thoughts that arise when discussing how much power music can have over mental health.
Music is a very broad term to describe the sounds and rhythms that make our hearts beat and our feet move. There are many different genres and subcategories of music, ranging from math rock to ska jazz. There are numerous different platforms where listeners can enjoy their favorite artists and songs. These would include Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iHeartRadio and SoundCloud.
Interestingly, as broad as music and the music industry would seem, it is one of a few things that can bring the world together.
There are numerous musical communities and subcultures that share common connections between many artists, genres and fans. We all love this sense of community and fellowship. It’s what we, as humans, strive off of. We are social beings. Humans are inherently social, and surrounding yourself with other people who you have a connection with can vastly improve your mental health.
Immersing yourself in your favorite artist’s music or favorite album can have numerous positive effects on your well-being and mental health. Music helps with cognitive performance, reducing stress levels, weight loss, memory, sleep, motivation, mood levels, endurance and depression and anxiety levels.
Specific types of music can also have huge effects on our moods and how we are feeling. Genres like classical or meditation offer the greatest mood-boosting benefits while other genres like heavy metal or techno are ineffective and detrimental to the moods of most. Of course all of this really depends on what type of music you favor or what you were surrounded with as a child. Everyone is unique, and we all have our similarities and differences.
Given the opportunity to ask some students here at Ohio University their thoughts about music and how it makes them feel, it was surprising to see just how large of an impact music can really have over someone’s livelihood.
‘’Music has always been a part of my life, and I love to play different genres of music,” Nicholas Hock, a freshman studying business, said. “For example, alternative or country music helps me focus while I am trying to focus, but I will play Hip-Hop/Rap when I need to get motivated.”
Hock provided his thoughts on the power of music and shared how he listens to different types of music depending on the situation.
‘’One of my favorite artists to listen to is J. Cole. J. Cole has both chill and upbeat music, so I can listen to him whenever I am studying in the library or lifting at the gym,” Hock said. “Since his music is so diverse, I feel like I can listen to him in whatever mood I am in.’’
Considering all of the ways of which music can positively influence one’s mental and physical health, and how it can bring many different types of people together, it is safe to say that music matters.
Tre Spencer is a freshman studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Tre know by tweeting him @trerspencer1.
